1.2 V fixed reference — what the tempco means for your rail
The MAX6120EUR+T from Maxim Integrated is a series voltage reference that delivers a fixed 1.2 V output with ±1% initial tolerance. The 100 ppm/°C temperature coefficient is the spec that decides whether your ADC reference or comparator threshold holds across the full -40°C to 85°C industrial range. Supply current sits at 70 µA.
Noise floor — 10 µVp-p at low frequency
Output noise is specified at 10 µVp-p over 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz and 400 µVp-p from 10 Hz to 10 kHz. The low-frequency noise figure is the one that matters for precision analog front-ends — if you are feeding a 16-bit ADC, that 10 µVp-p is about 0.8 LSBs at a 1.2 V reference, which is usable but not best-in-class. The 400 µVp-p broadband noise suggests a small output cap (0.1 µF to 1 µF) helps filter the higher-frequency content without destabilizing the series architecture.
Input range and dropout — 2.4 V to 11 V
The input voltage range spans 2.4 V to 11 V, so the reference needs at least 1.2 V of headroom above the output. That 2.4 V minimum means a 3.3 V rail works fine, but a 1.8 V rail does not — check the supply before committing the BOM. The series topology draws only the 70 µA quiescent current plus the load current, so it is efficient for low-power rails where a shunt reference would waste more current through its bias resistor.
Package and footprint — SOT-23-3
Housed in a standard SOT-23-3 (TO-236-3, SC-59) package, the MAX6120EUR+T is a drop-in for three-terminal SOT-23 reference footprints. The Tape & Reel (TR) and Cut Tape (CT) options cover both prototyping and production reel quantities. No exposed pad — thermal performance is passive through the SOT-23 leads, so keep the ambient below 85°C for the rated spec.
Lifecycle and sourcing
The MAX6120EUR+T carries an Active product status and is ROHS3 compliant.